Child support rates outdated

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support - 2009-11-16 13:17:10

my opinion on this subject is... for whatever reason,marriages dont work out all the time. We as adults have to be able to come to an agreement regarding our children and their welfare. The raising of support should only be given to those DEADBEATS(moms and dads)who dont care that their child is innocent to the breakup of the parents. Any of you out there who can look in the mirror and know that you are not doing your parental duty deserve to have to pay whatever is called for. And all you mothers and fathers who are on here saying "I pay child support" please stop...YOU ARE SUPPOSED TO TAKE CARE OF YOUR CHILDREN PEOPLE..stop acting like its a badge of honor to say you are paying. We cannot forget this is all in the interest of the child.....

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Cal Allen Jr - Annapolis, MD - Karma: Neutral

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Kent Island answers. - 2009-11-14 15:44:52

Obviously my buddy needed a good/better lawyer and we told him so but he simply couldn't afford one!

He was never in arrears as his pay was garnished.
When he went to court to tell that he now had custody the judge called him and his witnesses (Including both of his kids) liars in open court and 'punished' him by upping his support payment. The Ex didn't even attend the earing.
Even after he won custody and support Social Service continued garnishing his wages for several years though they were under Court order to stop. As I said a Congressman stepped in and put a stop to it.

Paying support until a 'child' is 25 is ridiculous unless there are extenuating circumstances such as a disabled child.
If the custodial parent (How can you be a custodian when your kids are adults?) wants to let Junior or Missy lay around all day or party at age 24 fine. But the non-custodial parent should not have to pay for it.

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Paul O'Flanagan - West River, MD - Karma: Excellent

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Really silly design of government! - 2009-11-13 19:16:09

Take a look at my blog entry on the situation with the Child Support Guidelines. Why on EARTH aren't they indexed along with Social Security, etc. etc?? What is WRONG with legislators when they write laws that will require them either to do additional work every few years or will leave the purposes of the law unfulfilled?? See www.government-reform.info for a posting on this very situation!

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Robert Knisely - Severna Park, MD - Karma: Neutral

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not sure... - 2009-11-13 13:17:56

... where you get your information from but ... children are DEPENDENTS until they are 25 if they elect to go to college. This is why you can include your children on your employer provided medical plans until until that time. Child support is for dependents not "children." The differences are that your divorce, separation, and/or child support agreements may or may not be set to enforce child support for that length of dependency. This is also why students in undergraduate colleges cannot file for financial aid as an independent student until age 25 regardless of whether they are living at home or depending on parents for financial support.

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Jason S - Glen Burnie, MD - Karma: Neutral

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women in charge - 2009-11-13 11:09:26

There used to be a woman in charge of the child support dept. back in the early 90's.I dont remember her name but she was a true man hater.She was definately a scorned woman.She tried to tell me too get 2 or 3 drops and I wasnt even late on my monthly paymennts.She just wanted to get my ex more money.Than when I took custody of one of my two kids she tried to make me keep paying.Till I proved that my ex would have to pay me more than what I would pay her because the child I had custody of had issues that needed constant care.The lady then backed off.But whats funny was when ever I went to annapolis the only male workers there were guards.All caseworkers were female.

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robert moe - pasadena, md - Karma: Bad

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Kent Island - 2009-11-13 10:56:08

That definetely doesn't sound right. It must have been arrearages. Besides i was told that the non-custodial parent pays until the child turns 18 OR if they decide to go to college right out of high school than the child support would continue for the time in college. As a women, i dont think it is fair if a father is brought back continually to court for increase and if the shoe is on the other foot and if its the woman, things should be the same for both sexes. My husband had to pay money back to PA state because his daughters mother claimed the child was living with her (when she wasnt) and was on welfare because she was pregnant with someone elses child. She snatched the daughter for daycare one day and it took the courts 4 months to place her back with my husband but he still had to pay the state back for her to be on welfare for the time She SAID she had custody of the child. I see many cases where the man is treated unfairly and its not right.

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Kristina Browning - Felton, PA - Karma: Neutral

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kent island - 2009-11-12 19:26:20

Hmm the friend on Kent Island doesn't sound right. They do not have to pay child support until 25, especially if the kids were living with him. And he got hauled to jail? Seems near impossible in this state. For 18 years my ex has dodged his payments and made excuses to the courts, never to land in jail. i am assuming that the money he was paying while his children were 25 years old was his arrearage which will be due until paid in full.

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tamara sullivan - severna park, MD - Karma: Neutral

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System is hosed. - 2009-11-12 18:58:01

I knew a guy on Kent Island that had to continue to pay his Ex support but the kids lived with him. The courts MADE him pay but refused to make her refund the $$. Go sue her they said. He was forced to pay support AND support his children at the same time. When his son turned 21 he quit paying. He was arrested and jailed was told he had to pay until both his children were 25 years old AND pay health insurance AND the rate was jacked up!
His Ex? She spent the $$ on home improvements, drugs and Bingo.
Needless to say he lost his car, his boat and self esteem. The courts never lifted a finger to help him until a Congressman stepped in and put a stop to the nonsense.

Seeing what HE went through I'd take ten cents on the dollar for what my Ex owes me. I could buy a good car for that.

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Paul F - West River, MD - Karma: Excellent

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child support - 2009-11-12 03:33:44

if it is child support why do they pay until they are 19 years old,at 18 they are an adult by law,RIGHT?

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jim pearson - seaford, de - Karma: Terrible

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Maryland screws the men... - 2009-11-11 19:44:59

I'm currently watching the development of a child-support increase case in which the non-custodial father, an amazing Dad who makes $100,000 with his current wife but whose children live with their mother because the judge decided "children just should live with their moms." The ex-wife, together with her husband, is making over $300,000. The non-custodial Dad is being taken back to court for an increase in C/S (apparently the court doesn't care if his other two children eat) that has forced him to put his house up for sale. It's sad to watch men across Maryland emasculated on a daily basis, because of the unfairness and disparity in family law.

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Brett Howe - Millersville, MD - Karma: Neutral

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Steve Swanson - 2009-11-11 07:52:26

By all means i dont feel that the ones that ARE faithfully paying should be punished. Case by Case is the only way to be fair but at the same time, IF my ex was actually paying child support, he would only be paying me $80/week and these days child care approx $170/wk if not more or now my son is high school and just School lunches, sports, feeding a 14 year old growing boy, Medication, Doctor visits and the list goes on and on about monthly expenses. Do i need the child support...actually it would help keep us from robbing Peter to pay Paul. Times are rough for everyone. My husband and i have had a lot of downfalls this past year including him loosing his thumb and going on Workmens Comp. You still dont get what you actually would bring home working when on WC. We fell into bankruptcy. We are working our way back now but do i think everyday that if i was getting child support, we might not have had this issue...YES. Even today I still seem to fall in between State help and middle class. Its a tough world for all of us. Prices on everything is going up but salaries are not. I just ask that the ones who are "dodging" such as mine actually be held responsible for their actions and stop having their hands slapped and pushed out of the court rooms. 38k in arrears is alot of money to sit and say "this is your last chance" everytime he walks into the court room. He shouldn't have anymore last chances. If CS would actually sit down and look at our file, they will see the same pattern of nonpayment that i have kept in my records. Pay one payment the day before court to stay out of Jail and go back to non payment and wait another year to be brought back into court.

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Kristina Browning - Felton, PA - Karma: Neutral

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To Lisa - 2009-11-10 16:07:19

"any man who does not want to support his child is a piece of crap. "

I would expect you to add that any woman who does not want to support her child is a piece of cr** as well. People like YOU carry the torches of inequity, pointing at an individual case as a reason for trampling the rights of the innocent.

How about a woman who chooses to use child support money to go to the bar where the father allegedly is in your story.

The government in every state acknowledges that the custodial parent benefits along with the child. Of course they do, it is logical. Yet there is no oversight, or outcry on how that money is spent for the child...only on how to collect it. So are we TRULY interested in the child's best interest?

We have special interest groups trying to get society to believe that all fathers need to be FORCED to handle their "responsibility" to pay child support...when in reality their real responsibility is to be a father. Child support only ensues when their children are taken from them (or in the smaller percentage of cases where they leave).

On the other side, we just assume the mother handles her "responsibility" of being a mother, right? Apparently in the court of public opinion, no thought is given to what you do AFTER you get the money. We just assume that ALL child support is put into a piggy bank for the child, or spent on the child's food, clothes, medical, etc.

We should go after custodial parents that use child support to buy alcohol, or a personal vacation, or to invest in their own future. It's just wrong...or is it? It happens ALL the time.

Are we all so completely befuddled by our government that we choose to be ignorant and ready to take down a segment of the population based on propaganda?

Placing political rhetoric ONLY on the heads of fathers is wrong, it is sexist, and it is demeaning to the 96% of us fathers who care as deeply for their children as any parent could.

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Real Tired - Hometown, NV - Karma: Neutral

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Second Try - 2009-11-10 14:05:14

Strange...Don't know where my last post went...Regardless, I absolutely agree! I don't know how a parent could "dodge" supporting their children either. But I'm as completely shocked by the number of parents willing to exact revenge on the other by using the children and our current legal system.

But we have reached such a fervor in our country that we grabbing torches and going after people who are trying because of the 4% of those that are not. It is a political issue that gains votes. Why else would the President chastise fathers on Father's Day? Negate the good of 96% and make blanketing statements based on the 4%? Wonder how he'll treat mothers on Mother's Day.

The REAL solution is accountability and responsibility, from the original decision to give a child ONE parent instead of two. If it is no-fault, then hold the person walking away from their marriage accountable for their decision...man OR woman. They can walk away, but with NOTHING. It is not in the best interest of the child to allow one parent to destroy another. They want to destroy themselves, fine!

So currently, due to another's choice, we remove children, take away homes, and place a huge debt on others. Imagine if it were the government coming in, telling you they were taking your son, that you had to move out, and they were going to charge you money to support your child. A HORRENDOUS thought...but it happens EVERY day, justified by politicians screaming, "women and children!"

If we really wanted to help children, we HAVE to hold adults accountable for their OWN choices. AND go after the small percentage of those trying to dodge or evade the system using DUE PROCESS. It may not always work, like in your case apparently, but it is there to protect the rights of everyone.

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Steve Swanson - Hometown, NV - Karma: Neutral

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Response to Steve - 2009-11-10 13:24:29

You are right..there are mothers that walk away too and there are good fathers. It is a sad day when you have to fight with a parent to support their own child. I do not fault any parent that goes through hell and high water to make sure their kids are provided for weather it be mom or dad. I do however, have a problem with a parent that will put his or her needs before their kids. I think the child support law should change on a case by case basis and it should go according to their income and if they don't have an income, make them get one!! Or go to jail...simple as that. If you have money to buy a boat or a new car, you have the money to support your child. What possibly could be more important than you child? I don't understand how people "dodge" child support. I just think they are a bunch of losers. It makes me very angry.

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Lisa Adams - Annapolis, MD - Karma: Neutral

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Kristina - 2009-11-10 13:17:43

Like I stated, 4% are "dodging" and you may fit into that category, but to enact and enforce laws that will have negative consequences because YOU want your just deserves, is unfair to the 96% of people out there who are NOT in your situation.

Also, please note that I only included NO-FAULT divorces, not ones where there is abuse, alcoholism, etc. If there is a REASON for the divorce (very low percentage), then a closer examination has to be made for the individual case.

And even if you fall into 4% of the "dodging" cases, are you really SO wronged that you want to punish the 96% of the people NOT in your situation? You are re-married, so I'm pretty sure you don't NEED the money at this point, so in enacting laws to get your son's father, you would put millions of non-custodial parents in even worse financial situations, perhaps even at the risk of incarcerating those who can't pay.

That to me is no-win. Those who try to evade will continue, so you won't receive any more money apparently, but those that ARE trying hard to keep up will be pushed under.

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Steve Swanson - Hometown, NV - Karma: Neutral

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Steve Swanson - 2009-11-10 13:06:22

If you have read all my comments none are pointing the finger at ALL non-custodial parents or not ALL Men. You are right, there are men AND women who "dodge" paying. Was I Married at the time I left his father NO (only engaged). Yes I Left and I left to protect my son from what his father was doing to me. Mentally and Physically abusing me. I know his work history and he was "picky" and still is to this day on what type of job he feels HE deserves. I have heard every excuse in the book and only found out that they were nothing but lies. He goes out and works under the table so he doesn't have to pay, he doesn't do his taxes so he doesn't have to pay. AND yes he has also told me that to my face. He wanted to relinquish his rights to my son so he didn't have to pay and at that time I was single. Now I am married and was going to offer that but he is no where to be found. Yes my ex is stupid enough to tell me that he does this on purpose and in court when he gets away with lying, he smirks as he walks out of the court room. He lied about having a job when we first started child support and brought in old paystubs and the last time in court he brought a "friend" and said it was his boss and he just started working for him. 2 weeks later his so called boss filed a peace order against him. Tell me that is not trying to "dodge" child support.

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Kristina Browning - Felton, PA - Karma: Neutral

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Remember the constitution - 2009-11-10 12:40:55

We talk of laws to GET the person dodging child support. Did you know that the percentage of mothers not paying is higher than the percentage of fathers not paying? Yet, it is always spoken about with a father we are looking to rope.

Think about this...our legal system was set up by our forefathers to make sure no innocent people are punished...meaning that some guilty people get away with it.

Of the fathers that owe child support, ony 4% are actually "dodging" the payment. In almost every case, fathers are either paying, or they are not able to pay. INCREASING the support amount will only decrease the number of fathers who CAN pay.

So for those of you SO livid about dead-beat dads, remember that your desire to go after them may be so blinded that you are willing to shoot 96% of the population to make sure that one doesn't get away. This goes against ALL logical thought. But if you only look for the 4%, and make it LOOK like it is every non-custodial father, then you justify the unconstitutional abuse you heap on a majority of fathers.

Are we ready for an all out war on fathers, or do we want to see our society really sit down and determine how to BEST serve our children. With all the hype and indignant entitlement, I'm sure we'll never see the latter.

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Steve Swanson - Hometown, NV - Karma: Neutral

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Take the time to think - 2009-11-10 12:21:09

So many people are suggesting that men walk out on their families and we should go after them. In REALITY, 70% of the divorces are started by women, and most no-fault, who are tired of men not heeding their command. So they file for divorce (which is NOT in the best interest of the children), take the house, the kids and a healthy chunk of the family income and then you hear complaining that they don't have enough.

Well, try this...instead of working on how to help these mothers escape accountability for their decisions, maybe we should help them understand EXACTLY what their decisions mean to their children. WHAT?!! Hold a mother accountable and responsible for her decision? How do we do that?

Since everyone is worried about the children, and ALL research shows children are better in a two-parent household, it should be REQUIRED that any parent filing for a no-fault divorce is NEVER given custody of the children. If they are willing to do something that selfish, we as a society CANNOT stand behind their abuse of their children, pat them on the head, and say, "I know it was your decision, but you're still a victim, and if we paint it just right, we can still make it look like it is all his fault and CHARGE him punitive damages for being thrown out of his children's lives."

Now stating it like that wouldn't be very politically gainful would it? So instead, we hide the dastardly decisions to remove children from their parent by saying we're helping the children. GET REAL!

Work on holding people responsible for the well-being of their children at the source! Punishing fathers who have done nothing wrong by placing them in peonage SOLELY because she wants to is a HORRIBLE thing to do to any of our citizens, compounded by the continued attempt to run them into the ground and treat them like dirt in the media. Nice job people!

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Steve Swanson - Hometown, NV - Karma: Neutral

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Kiristina from PA - 2009-11-10 11:12:02

The only thing that happens is the kids suffer. Do they not see this? Its very sad for the kids because they see you working and struggling through everyday while their father is total out of their life. When you walk away from your wife and home, don't walk away from your children. I guess people are too selfish to realize that.
I will work two jobs to provide for my kids. Sooner or later they will pop up on the radar. We just wait and watch. IT will happen. Keep doin what your doing....

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Lisa Adams - Annapolis, MD - Karma: Neutral

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Comment removed by HometownAnnapolis staff. - 2009-11-10 08:47:27

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- Karma: Excellent

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Shubbie - 2009-11-10 08:02:46

There is only one point you made that you should be given credit for and thats the non-custodial parents that are paying. GREAT JOB for them! Do i think anything should change for the men/women that are faithfully paying NO! Changing the rates now, yes not a good idea but changing the Guidelines on how the true dead beats get away with non-payment, I will be the first in line to vote. As for your comments for illegal aliens....ILLEGAL is the keyword there. Im sure most parents that are not receiving child on this blog would agree that we are LEGAL and we have done everything we were told to do LEGALLY to get the help we need to either recieve the child support our kids deserve or even try and obtain state help (Medical Assistance, Food Stamps, etc) BUT if they are like me...They fall in between getting any type of help from the state AND being considered middle class.

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Kristina Browning - Felton, PA - Karma: Neutral

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poor legal citizens - 2009-11-09 23:04:15

What policy is in place to help the impoverished american citizen children of single women of illegal status who are unable to obtain child support from the illegal alien father ? Is there no outcry to help these children ? Or do these children deserve less than other US citizens under the age of majority ?
There must be someone out there with the answer to this value laden question ? Anyone ?

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Fred Shubbie - , - Karma: Terrible

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Shubbie - 2009-11-09 21:20:29

Do you really think an illegal is going to walk into a court of law, fill out the paperwork which includes disclosing your SS# to get an employer to send under the table wages to OCSE? I know you like to throw the illegal alien crap into every discussion, however I don't think it applies here. The point is raising the cost of anything right now is stupid and pointless if the non-custodial parent cannot keep up now.

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J Olson - Annapolis, MD - Karma: Excellent

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The question remains .... - 2009-11-09 20:08:21

What can or should be done with/for an illegal mom unable to obtain support from the illegal alien father for her american born infant?

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Fred Shubbie - , - Karma: Terrible

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I wonder.. - 2009-11-09 19:42:15

if Ms. Rodgers, who is proposing this increase with "new math" stands to receive more child support herself? This is the WORST time to try and do this. And I don't know where they get the 20% of the non-custodial parents income from. Of the people I know who pay support, and that is quite a few, it tends to be more like 35 to 40% AFTER taxes. The system makes no sense, no one who works there can even explain it to you because they don't know either!

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Jean Richards - Annapolis, MD - Karma: Excellent

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Shubbie - 2009-11-09 16:02:54

There is one thing you are forgetting on this matter....Single Parents shouldn't have to PAY out of pocket anymore money than they have to to make the state do its job. AND as i was told by Domestic Relations again, i can go Pro Se BUT there is vital information that DR has that i dont....AN ADDRESS TO HAVE HIM SERVED. I have went on all the websites i can think of to search for an address for the sperm donor and he keeps finding innocent young girls to manipulate into putting their names on everything and he doesn't pay a cent. Also i should add that my son's sperm donor has 1 other child that he is neglecting his responsibilities with and had ANOTHER child in December with the poor girl who is wrapped up in his make believe world. But once she wakes up....Hopefully soon, she will realize how worthless of a dad he really is. He doesn't even keep contact with his kids so he is just making them and leaving the state or other Good hearted men to take care of them.

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Kristina Browning - Felton, PA - Karma: Neutral

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Comment disabled due to community reporting. - 2009-11-09 15:41:16

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Jen Rhoades - 2009-11-09 15:29:07

Hopefully this hostile women will believe you, they ignored that part of my perfect posts. All I can say is avoid the CSEA (Child support enforcement agency) they are completely incompetent and never get it right--no matter what 'it' is. File motions and have them served by sherrif-there are lots of creative ways to legally harass the opposing party into submission--it works for us too guys. If they say they need money or don't have money, then they will not have a lawyer or will go deep into debt defending something impossible to defend. The only thing between a person like me and a legal victory is determination. I am very determined and so should be you.

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Fred Shubbie - , - Karma: Terrible

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Interesting... - 2009-11-09 15:25:10

I did a little calculation and taking into account my salary and my estimation of my ex-wife's salary, it appears if the propossed changes were neacted my requirements with respect to child support would increase by approximately 50% to $1200 per month (about $14,000/year).

Unlike some of the horror stories one always heres about, I do not shirk my responsibilities - I have always paid the support for my daughter as required (and enjoyed my visitation with her over the years). However, if the State enacts these new "rates" I will find it very much more difficult to make ends meet each month while my ex get another $4K+ a year tax free.

Luckily, I figure I only have 44 more payments to go...but then comes college.

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fred flintstone - , - Karma: Excellent

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Feminist viewpoint? - 2009-11-09 15:23:00

Wow, the only thing worth voting for in Lisa's post is "If the state has to MAKE you pay, you are just disgusting".

This should apply to men AND women who care more about themselves and others around them and not the child(ren) they helped bring into this world. I'm sure you agree but you only mention dead-beat dads.

I personally know of a female who is more interested in drinking and smoking pot than she is about her offspring. Everyone admires single dads who are busting their tail to support their kid(s) just like the single moms posting here, but they don't get that much credit because they're the minority on thie subject.

I'm happily married with great kids but I can't post my comment either because I'm not in that sitution?

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K C - Annapolis, MD - Karma: Excellent

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Don't wait on MDCSE - 2009-11-09 15:02:41

My sister has been chasing after her x for years....what she does now, instead of going through child support enforcement, she files the Contempt of Court for not paying herself, costs $25.00. The last time she went to court, the x was sent to jail until he paid $500.00 and had to maintain payments, needless to say, that worked for 6 months, which gave her kids around 3k. She just filed contempt again. If she can do this and get 2 or 3 grand a year, good for her!! Don't wait for MDCSE to file for you, you can do it yourself and keep your case open.

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Jen Rhoades - Annapolis, MD - Karma: Excellent

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Comment disabled due to community reporting. - 2009-11-09 13:44:48

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children come first - 2009-11-09 13:33:01

I am a custodial parent: I had to prove what I made by providing 6 consecutive pay stubs as well as have my employer fill out a paper of what they paid me and how often I got paid. Also I had to provide proof of my rent, mortage, child care, and anything that I paid to live or anything that I paid out for my child. When I was laid off from my job the child support was NOT increased it was lessened, is that fair to the child? When I started working again and was working 2 jobs, I could have, but did not increase the child support. Please if you have not walked in my shoes as a single parent, working 2 jobs and NOT recieving support, don't presume we would write down any amt or take advantage of the non custodial parent. There are a lot of honest custodial parents who would rather the non custodial parent take the child on vacation for a week. I would be happy to split the cost. I agree with increasing support on a case by case bases.

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Lilly Anna Poelis - Annaplois, md - Karma: Neutral

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In re: to the Silly People comments - 2009-11-09 09:56:42

Are you a single parent? Have you tried to survive as a single parent in today's society? If you read my last comment, which some of your comment referenced, you would have seen that my issue is with the ones that DODGE paying Child Support because they think they are above and beyond what they should be responsible for! There are MANY people who do pay their child support..MEN AND WOMEN but the ones who dont pay child support just because they feel they are too worthy, than thats where the guidelines need to change. NOT for the ones who are responsibly paying or showing that they are actually trying but the ones who ONLY pay child support as a "get out of jail card" and go back to their everyday non-paying ways! Whether its capped with an amount of arrearages past due or what", it needs to change. I have tried EVERYTHING to get child support, pro se' included. So i dont think you are correct for calling us single parents who have to push our quality time with our kids aside and get a second job because we must pick up the slack of the non-paid child support "Silly People". If you are a single parent or have raised a child on a single income in todays society, you should be commending all of us for doing our best and if you did it without struggling, why don't you offer us some more useful information than that of someone with no single parenting experience.

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Kristina Browning - Felton, PA - Karma: Neutral

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silly people - 2009-11-09 09:31:04

Some women on this blog are weaving us sad yet heroic tales about their inability to receive their CS entitlement. Despite their inability to find an effective Judicial remedy for their problem , despite successfully surviving impoverishment and ability to feed and clothe the children in their custody, they wish to institute a POLICY change that would affect millions of fine men (and the rare woman) that ARE able and willing to follow the law and provide support for their children under current guidelines. Their inability to correct the behavior of the parent in arrears clearly will not suddenly disappear if the amount required to be paid increases. No , in fact, this increase may in fact spread their misfortune to many other women currently receiving regular CS payments as the payor may simply be unable to meet the new demands in this current economy.

A policy that would increase the PERCENTAGE of income required to satisfy child-support obligations is misguided, short-sighted and damaging to the overall health of our fragmented society. It is time this issue is viewed through the lense of reality and not skewed by a 1950's value system Ladies, learn how to litigate, pro se services and pro bono help is available to you--call you local Circuit Court. And men, its ok to seek the same to reverse the tide of archaic gender role assigment and treatment of men as beasts of burden.
And I leave us all with a question. What can or should be done with/for an illegal mom unable to obtain support from the illegal alien father for her american born infant?

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Fred Shubbie - , - Karma: Terrible

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Child Support? What is that? - 2009-11-09 08:40:33

My son is 14 years old and i have been fighting the child support system for that long. Out of all that time....I have gotten MAYBE 3 years worth of child support total. Agree with the raising of child support...times change and it is hard for all. i would be happy to just get anything right now. Do i think the guidlines need to be changed. That is a definite YES! I live in PA now and i see the difference in guidelines from the other perspective. If my husband doesnt have his in by the last day of the month, he is due in court the next month. Times are tough yes or money doesn't come in when its needed but the way i look at it is if the non custodial parent would keep in touch with child support, than things should go a better for them. On the other hand if the non custodial parent is just constantly trying to dodge the bullet (like in my case) than there should be stronger guidelines. By the time they actually serve him with a court date, i will have been waiting over a year since my last child support payment. What the non-paying (the bullet dodger) non custodial parents don't seem to understand is if we dont get child support and money is running tight, we STILL have to feed our kids so bills will go unpaid to make sure our kids are fed and well taken care of. Its a hard job in today's world to be a single parent. I was a single mom for 11 years, I busted my tail to make sure my son had everything he needed, I got a house, a car and everything with no help from child support BUT I STRUGGLED EVERYDAY! But i did it! Single parents should not have to pick up a second job and have no time to spend with their children because child support is not getting paid. But we do what we gotta do for the love and happiness of our kids. God Bless all those single Mom's AND Dads who struggle to get their child support just as I.

Over 38k in arrears and still fighting!

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Kristina Browning - Felton, PA - Karma: Neutral

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Not Fair - 2009-11-09 07:48:55

I totally disagree with this modification of child support. I have seen non-custodial parents get behind in their own bills due to the high expense in child support. How they calculate the amount due for the non-custodial parent is not fair. The custodial parent can go and apply for child support without showing any proof of income and just put down numbers leaving the non-custodial parent paying more than necessary.

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Jewel Day - Annapolis, MD - Karma: Neutral

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shubbie ignorance - 2009-11-08 16:35:22

I am not attacking you. I am saying the statement of unwed mothers and birth control was uncalled for and not relevant to all. Again, you are misinformed, the tax credit does not go to the custodial parent, in my case per our divorce decree i was able to use one and gave my ex the other.It would be wonderful world if all followed rules and took responsibility, but that is not the case
In those instances MDHR is there to ENFORCE what the courts have finalized, although the lack of enforcement is disappointig. Yes, child support has been a nightmare. I agree it should be across the board not just the selected income brackets.
I commend you for your service in the military but feel you are being quite hostile and should not profile all recipients of child suppoprt as unwed parents whom do not use birth control.

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tamara sullivan - severna park, MD - Karma: Neutral

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They're , their, there - 2009-11-08 12:29:32

I can't type and the shrapnel in my head for my proud and valiant service in the military makes it difficult for me to use the correct words.

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Fred Shubbie - , - Karma: Terrible

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ignorance: Tamara/the rules - 2009-11-08 12:23:57

What are the rules of grammar that you follow when deciding when to use, whom, who, or that ? Do they change according to your mood ?

"It is a nightmare for those WHOM follow the rules"

"for those THAT not only utilize the welfare system but for those of us WHO work full time and considered middle income." you got it right once Tamara, care to guess which one is correct ? Please don't tell me to educate myself sweet.

The purpose of child support is to provide the CHILD with the standard of living the CHILD would have enjoyed if the parents were still together. The tax benefit goes to the custodial parent lowering the real burden on her/him. It is a very, very imperfect system and the CSEA is notorious for ist ineffective and sometimes illegal seizing and distribition of funds. It is best to stay away from them at all costs and litigate!
Your personal situation, Tamara, has no bearing on whether it is right or wrong to raise the percentage a parent pays--none whatsoever. The CS guidelines are in black and white. Effective legal counsel is always the best bet. There is, however, a mechanism in place that allows the CS amount to be adjusted. A judge determines whether or not an adjustment is justified--high medical costs, hardship on either party..blah, blah , blah...

I see no reason why their should be an across the board increase for the vast majority or parents.

*

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Fred Shubbie - , - Karma: Terrible

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Cost of a child - 2009-11-08 11:37:42

I would like to know why it costs more money to raise a child if you make more money? A gallon of milk cost the same rich or poor. A pair of socks cost the same rich or poor. If this was about the cost of raising a child the cost would be across the board no matter what income bracket.
What it actually is about is maintaining the standard of living for the custodial spouse which most of the time is the woman. So even when she gets married or has the boyfriend move in with the her, the ex still pays the same and she gets the added benefit of a tax free second income.

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David Kyle - Pasadena, MD - Karma: Neutral

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child support - 2009-11-08 09:39:29

I agree with Paul, I too have raised my children on my own, with a non custodial parent who knew how to manipulate the system. I have fought with MDHR for over 15 years. I too am owed a hefty arrearage, and that is with him going to the courts and lowering payments, not filing taxes and claiming he hasnt been able to get any work.
But he can sure go to the bar! It is a nightmare for those whom follow the rules. i actually went to a hearing that my ex scheduled to lower payments and the Judge told me that I am lucky to ever recieve a penny! Again, the state of maryland at it's finest.

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tamara sullivan - severna park, MD - Karma: Neutral

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Can't collect so??? - 2009-11-08 08:32:36

I brought up two babies on my own. Support? What a joke. Getting the State to actually ENFORCE support payments from a Mother was impossible due to prevailing attitudes like "Why are you going after her? The poor girl probably doesn't have anything anyway!"
The Ex sure covered her bases. She never paid a penny in taxes that I could sieze and when she got caught she quit her job and went on Welfare and I couldn't touch her and she never paid one Cent towards support. I could buy a small house on what she owes me even at 1992 rates but if you can't collect it's just smoke and mirrors.

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Paul O'Flanagan - West River, MD - Karma: Excellent

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Fred Shubbie's take on Child Suppor - 2009-11-08 08:27:05

Apparently you are as ignorant as your post. Child Support is not for just single unwed mothers. It is for fathers and mothers whom mainttain a safe secure enviroment for the children they have, as in my case was married and due to the fact that my ex huisband is irresponsible in regards to taking care of his children, I had to have the state assist. The guidllines and actions are needed to increase the benefit for those that not only utilize the welfare system but for those of us who work sull time and considered middle income.
4 words: educate yourself before speaking

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tamara sullivan - severna park, MD - Karma: Neutral

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Gay marriage - 2009-11-08 08:13:46

Can't wait til Maryland legalizes gay marriage and the Courts have to figure out how NOT to automatically side with the female. But seriously, many of us wish we had more money now that gas is no longer 58 cents a gallon ? Can the powers that be force my investments to pay a higher dividend ?

2 words : Birth Control

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